Mandrel tool

ABSTRACT

A mandrel tool comprising a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument. The slit serves as a guide for the cutting instrument, which cuts through wire wound around the mandrel to simultaneously create a plurality of uniform rings without having to labor further.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to tools for making jewelry. Even more particularly, the present invention involves a mandrel having a slit or channel that enables the formation of wire loops used in forming jewelry.

DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART

Mandrels are hand tools used in jewelry making. Mandrels may be used to create jewelry of desired shapes and sizes out of blank material, such as a wire. For example, a mandrel may be used to produce a plurality of rings having the same or varying shapes and sizes by, for example, winding wire about the mandrel. However, further work performed on the individual rings afterwards may cause uneven and visible differences between the rings due to process variations.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In view of the limitations and drawbacks in the prior art, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mandrel tool to simultaneously form a plurality of rings having a uniform shape and features.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mandrel tool that users saves time and effort in the construction of jewelry.

Additional objectives will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows.

In summary, there is provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention a mandrel tool comprising a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument. By virtue of the slit, which serves as a cutting guide for the cutting instrument, the cutting instrument cuts through wire wound around the mandrel to simultaneously create a plurality of uniform rings without having to labor further.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features and aspects of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel, including a mandrel head and handle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side view illustrating the mandrel and handle of FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a top plan view illustrating the mandrel of FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1D is a side view illustrating the mandrel of FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1E is an exploded perspective view illustrating the mandrel of FIG. 1A, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel head according to a first alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel head according to a second alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel head according to a third alternate embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel head according to a fourth alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Like reference numerals may refer to like elements throughout the specification. The sizes or proportions of elements illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity. When an element is described as being on another element, the element may be directly disposed on the other element or intervening elements may be disposed therebetween. Elements of an embodiment that are not described in detail may be assumed to be similar to corresponding elements described in detail in the specification.

The present invention relates to mandrels used to form rings or closed-loops of various sizes and/or shapes by winding wire or other material about the mandrel. The shape of the ring is determined by the shape of the mandrel head. As wire is continuously wound about the mandrel to form a sequence of consecutive loops, the loops are cut at a slit positioned on the surface of the mandrel to form a plurality of uniform and/or uniformly proportioned rings.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mandrel head includes a slit that penetrates two surfaces of mandrel. In particular, the slit passes through two adjoining surfaces of the mandrel (e.g., front end and a side), or through a portion of the body and/or an end portion of the mandrel head. The slit may be used as a guide to saw off wire continuously looped around the mandrel to form rings or objects of other shapes.

FIGS. 1A to 1E illustrate a mandrel 100 and a handle 150 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Mandrel 100 includes a mandrel head 101 having a body 102, a base 104, a first end 106, a second end 108, a plurality of sides 110, a plurality of side-to-side edges 112, a plurality of side-to-end edges 114, at least one starting hole 116, and a slit 118.

Handle 105 may be referred to as a support member. Referring to FIG. 1E, handle 105 includes a connection member 152, such as a threaded screw-end. Handle 105 is configured to be detachably coupled to mandrel 100 through connection member 152. Base 104 of mandrel 100 may include a cavity (not shown) configured to be detachably coupled to the connection member 152.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, mandrel 100 omits base 104. In this case, handle 105 may be detachably coupled to mandrel 100 through body 102. For example, body 102 may include a cavity (not shown) configured to be detachably coupled to the connection member 152.

In FIGS. 1A to 1E, mandrel 100 and handle 150 are illustrated in a coupled state.

It is understood that in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the connection member 152 may be connected to mandrel 100, and the cavity (not shown) may be disposed on handle 105.

In addition, the coupling mechanism illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 is not limited to the disclosed threaded connection member 152 and a threaded cavity (not shown) on mandrel 100. Other detachable coupling mechanism may be employed, for example, a coupling rod with a protruding ball-on-a-spring connected to one of mandrel 100 and handle 150, and a coupling hole with a socket configured to accommodate the protruding ball disposed on the other of mandrel 100 and handle 150, etc.

Body 102 may include a polygonal prism (e.g., a square prism) including a plurality (e.g., four) sides 110, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. Sides 110 may also be referred to as surfaces 110. Sides 110 may be flat, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

Edges 112 may be angular (e.g., not rounded or beveled), as illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and edges 112 may also be beveled and/or rounded. In addition, a first edge 112 may be different from a second edge 112. For example, the first edge 112 may be at least partially rounded, and the second edge 112 may be at least partially angular, and a third edge 112 may be at least partially beveled. In addition, any of edges 112 may include an angular portion, a beveled portion, and/or a rounded portion. In that regard, although the references to “loops” or “rings” may generally connote rounded or curved shapes, it should be appreciated and understood that references to “loops” or “rings” herein are not limited to rounded or curved shapes and also include angular shapes, including squares, triangles and other polygonal shapes.

First end 106 may be flat, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, first end 106 may include a first flat portion, a second concave portion, and/or a third convex portion. In addition, although not shown, first end 106 may be shaped like a concave or convex pyramid with as many sides as the number of sides 110.

Edges 114 may be formed between sides 110 and first end 106. As shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E, edges 114 may be angular. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and edges 114 may also be rounded and/or beveled. For example, a first edge 114 may be at least partially angular, a second edge 114 may be at least partially rounded, and/or a third edge 114 may be at least partially beveled. In addition, any of edges 114 may include at least an angular portion, at least a beveled portion and/or at least a rounded portion.

Starting hole 116 may be disposed on first end 106, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. Hole 116 may partially penetrate body 102, for example, in a direction toward base 104. However, it is understood that a plurality of holes 116 may be included in various locations of mandrel 100. For example, a first hole 116 may be disposed on first end 106, and a second hole 116 may be disposed on base 104, a third hole 116 may be disposed anywhere on body 102, etc.

Any of holes 116 may be referred to as a starter hole because a wire or other blank material of various shapes and/or sizes (the wire or other blank material may be collectively referred to as “material that is external to body 102”) may be inserted in any of the holes to facilitate the start of the winding process to form continuous loops or rings on body 102.

Slit 118 may extend at least partially through at least one of sides 110 and at least partially through first end 106, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. In addition, as an alternative, slit 118 may extend at least partially through at least one of edges 112 and through first end 106. However, it is understood that the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, slit 118 may penetrate at least a portion of first side 110, the entire first end 106, and a portion of a second side 110 opposite to the first side 110. In addition, slit 118 may extend throughout the entire length of a side 110 and/or through the entire length of first end 106. In addition, as an alternative, slit 118 may extend thorough two opposite edges 112 and/or a portion of first end 116.

In addition, when one of sides 110 is referred to a first surface of mandrel 100, and first end 106 in referred to as a second surface of mandrel 100, slit 118 passes through at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. In this case, the first and second surfaces may be connected to each other, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E.

Bottom surface 120 of slit 118 may extend, for example, in an oblique direction with respect to a side 110 and/or first end 106, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. Bottom surface 120 may be smooth and/or curved, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E, straight, or zig-zag (e.g., stepped).

Although not shown in the drawings, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, slit 118 is a partial or full penetration groove or channel that extends in a portion of body 102 of mandrel head 101, penetrating at least one of sides 110 but not first end 106. In other words, slit 118 may for example partially or fully penetrate body 102 but not penetrate first end 106 (e.g., it does not come out of first end 106). In this case, slit 118 may be an opening in one or more of sides 110, and may look, for example, similar to slit 118 in FIG. 1A, but first end 106 would be closed (e.g., full section) since slit 118 would not penetrate first end 106.

Slit 118 may also have a 90° step or a “V”-shaped bottom end 120, whether extending (e.g., penetrating) through first end 106 or not.

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1E, slit 118 may be disposed at a central portion (or middle portion) of edge 114. However, slit 118 may be disposed at any point along edge 114, including a corner formed between a pair of neighboring sides 110 and the first end 106.

In addition, a depth of slit 118 may be substantially perpendicularly with respect to side 110 and/or first end 106, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. In addition, the alignment (e.g., extending direction) of slit 118 along the surface of side 110 may be substantially parallel to the extending direction of the body 102, or substantially parallel to edges 112, as shown in FIGS. 1A to 1E. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

When winding a plurality of adjoining loops of wire on mandrel, a saw or other cutting instrument may be guided by slit 118, and may be inserted into slit 118 to cut the adjoining loops into individual rings. Thus, openings resulting in the rings from the cutting process may have corresponding locations along the perimeter of each of the rings. In addition, since the wound wire is cut while disposed on the mandrel 100, the resulting rings may be substantially uniform.

In addition, since slit 118 is disposed within body 102, the rings can be expeditiously cut while supported on the body 102. Accordingly, the use of slit 118 may increase accuracy, consistency and throughput of production (e.g., of making jewelry or other objects).

It is clear that the use of slit 118 substantially reduces the undesirable effects of a hand snipping tool, which may cut different rings at different locations along their perimeters, or damage the rings when the wound wire is not resting on a supporting surface. The use mandrel 100 including slit 118 eliminates the need for an additional tool with a supporting surface to support the wound wire while cutting it because the wound wire can be cut on mandrel 100.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, mandrel 100 may include a plurality of slits 118.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Mandrel 200 may include a body 202, a base 204, a first end 206, a second end 208, a plurality of sides 210, a plurality of edges 212, a plurality of edges 214, a plurality of holes 216, and a slit 218 with a bottom surface 220.

Mandrel 200 may be configured to be detachably coupled with handle 150, as described above in connection with mandrel 100.

Referring to FIG. 2, mandrel 200 includes a polygonal prism (e.g., a square prism) body, and a plurality of beveled edges 212. Thus, mandrel 200 may be used to form square loops or rings with beveled edges.

As shown in FIG. 2, mandrel 200 may include a plurality of holes 216 on first end 206.

Other elements of mandrel 200 may assumed to be similar to their corresponding counterparts described above. Thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for brevity.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Mandrel 300 may include a body 302 including an exterior surface 322, a base 304, a first end 306, a second end 308, an edge 314, at least one hole 316, and a slit 318 with a bottom surface 320.

Mandrel 300 may be configured to be detachably coupled with handle 150, as described above in connection with mandrel 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, body 302 may include a cylindrical portion with a cylindrical surface 322. First end 306 may be circular, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, mandrel 300 may be used to form round loops or rings.

As shown in FIG. 3, slit 318 may be disposed at any point along edge 314 and/or the outer perimeter of cylindrical surface 322. In addition, slit 318 may extend radially with respect to cylindrical surface 322, circular first end 306, and/or edge 114.

When first end 306 is a convex half-sphere, body 302 and first end 306 may form a continuous surface without edge 314. In this case, slit 318 may extend through body 302 through at least a portion of cylindrical surface 322, and through the convex half-sphere first end 306. In this case, the alignment (e.g., direction of depth and direction in which slit 318 extends), may be the same as previously described. Similarly, when first end 306 is a concave half-sphere, and slit 318 may extend through at least a portion of cylindrical surface 322, and through the concave half-sphere first end 306. It is understood that first end 306 may have various shapes, and that slit 318 may extend through at least a portion of cylindrical surface 322, and through the first end 306, regardless of its shape.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, edge 314 may be rounded to form a continuous surface between body 302 and first end 306. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, edge 314 may be beveled.

In addition, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where slit 318 does not penetrate first end 306, slit 318 may be a groove or slit having an opening in cylindrical surface 322. In this case, slit 318 may be a partial penetration groove or slit, or a full penetration groove or slit passing through, for example, diametrically opposite ends of body 302.

Other elements of mandrel 300 may assumed to be similar to their corresponding counterparts described above. Thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for brevity.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Mandrel 400 may include a body 402 including an exterior surface 422, a base 404, a first end 406, a second end 408, an edge 414, a plurality of holes 416, and a slit 418 with a bottom surface 420.

Mandrel 400 may be configured to be detachably coupled with handle 150, as described above in connection with mandrel 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, body 402 may include an elliptic cylinder, and may include an elliptic cylindrical surface 422. First end 406 may be elliptic, as shown in FIG. 4. Thus, mandrel 400 may be used to form elliptical loops or rings.

Referring to FIG. 4, slit 418 may be disposed (or extend) along the major axis of elliptic cylinder body 402 and first end 406. However, it is understood that slit 418 may be disposed at any point along the exterior perimeter of elliptic cylindrical surface 422, edge 414, and/or elliptic first end 406. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, slit 418 is disposed (or extends) along the minor axis of the exterior perimeter of elliptic cylindrical surface 422, edge 414, and/or elliptic first end 406.

When first end 406 is a convex half-ellipsoid, body 402 and first end 406 may form a continuous surface without edge 414. In this case, slit 418 may extend through body 402 through at least a portion of elliptic cylindrical surface 422, and through the convex half-ellipsoid first end 406. In this case, the alignment (e.g., direction of depth and direction in which slit 418 extends), may be the same as previously described.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, edge 414 may be rounded to form a continuous surface between body 402 and first end 406. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, edge 414 may be beveled.

In addition, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention where slit 418 does not penetrate first end 406, slit 418 may be a groove or slit having an opening in elliptic cylindrical surface 422. In this case, slit 418 may be a partial penetration groove or slit, or a full penetration groove or slit passing through, for example, opposite ends of body 402.

Other elements of mandrel 400 may assumed to be similar to their corresponding counterparts described above. Thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for brevity.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a mandrel 500 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Mandrel 500 may include a body 502, a base 504, a first end 506, a second end 508, a plurality of sides 510, a plurality of edges 512, a plurality of edges 514, a plurality of holes 516, and a slit 518 with a bottom surface 520.

Mandrel 500 may be configured to be detachably coupled with handle 150, as described above in connection with mandrel 100.

Referring to FIG. 5, mandrel 200 includes a polygonal prism (e.g., a triangular prism) body 502, and a plurality of edges 512. Thus, mandrel 500 may be used to form triangular loops or rings.

As shown in FIG. 5, a hole 516 may overlap slit 518.

Edges 512 and/or 514 may be at least partially angular, rounded and/or beveled, as described above with reference to edges 112 and 114 of FIGS. 1A to 1E.

Slit 518 may be disposed at a middle of an edge 514, as shown in FIG. 5, or at any other location along any edge 514, including a corner formed between two adjacent sides 510 and first end 506. In addition, as described above, slit 518 may be a partially penetrating slit, as shown in FIG. 5, or slit 518 may fully penetrate through adjacent surfaces 510, or through an edge 514 and a corner formed between two adjacent sides 510 and first end 506. In addition, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, slit 518 does not penetrate first end 506, and may penetrate body 502 at least partially thorough one of sides 510 and/or edges 514.

Other elements of mandrel 500 may assumed to be similar to their corresponding counterparts described above. Thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted for brevity.

It is understood that according to the present invention, the body of a mandrel may include a polygonal prism shape, or a shape having flat portions in combination with round/curved portions. In addition, although the body of the mandrel illustrated in each of FIGS. 1A to 1E and FIGS. 2 to 4 is shown to have a full cross-section, it is understood that the body may also be hollow.

Thus, according to the present invention, a plurality of rings of various sizes and/or shapes may be efficiently and uniformly formed by using a mandrel with a slit as described above.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 

I claim:
 1. A mandrel tool, comprising: a mandrel head having a body, said body including a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and an exterior surface extending between the first and second ends; and a slit extending at least partially through the exterior surface of the body and at least partially through the first end, said slit having a width to accommodate a sharp edge of a cutting instrument; wherein the slit is adapted and sized to permit said cutting instrument to be inserted therein such that when wire external to and wrapped around the body is cut, the slit serves as a cutting guide to cut said wire.
 2. The mandrel of claim 1, further comprising a starting hole disposed on the body.
 3. The mandrel of claim 2, wherein the hole is a partial penetration hole.
 4. The mandrel of claim 1, wherein the body includes a polygonal prism.
 5. The mandrel of claim 4, wherein the polygonal prism includes a first side forming a first border with the first end of the body and wherein the slit extends through a central portion of the of the first border.
 6. The mandrel of claim 4, wherein the polygonal prism includes a first side forming a first border with the first end of the body; wherein the slit extends through a first portion of the first border; and wherein the first portion of the first border is disposed between a central portion of the first border and an end portion of the first border.
 7. The mandrel of claim 4, wherein the polygonal prism includes a first side and a second side adjacent to the first side, wherein the first and second sides form a corner with the first end of the body; and wherein the slit extends through the corner.
 8. The mandrel of claim 1, wherein the body includes a cylinder.
 9. The mandrel of claim 8, wherein the slit extends radially with respect to the cylinder.
 10. The mandrel of claim 1, wherein the body includes an elliptic cylinder.
 11. The mandrel of claim 10, wherein the slit extends along the major axis of the elliptic cylinder.
 12. The mandrel of claim 10, wherein the slit extends along the minor axis of the elliptic cylinder.
 13. The mandrel of claim 1, further comprising a handle disposed on the second end of the body.
 14. The mandrel of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a bottom end of the slit is curved.
 15. The mandrel of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of a bottom end of the slit is straight.
 16. A mandrel, comprising: a body including a first surface and a second surface connected to the first surface; a slit passing through at least a portion of the first surface and at least a portion of the second surface, wherein the at least a portion of the first surface and the at least a portion of the second surface are connected to each other; wherein, when material external to the body is disposed on the body, the slit is adapted to guide a cutting instrument to cut the material; and wherein the body is adapted to be coupled with a support member.
 17. The mandrel of claim 16, wherein the at least a portion of the first surface is flat, and wherein the at least a portion of the second surface is flat.
 18. The mandrel of claim 17, wherein a depth of the slit is substantially perpendicular to the at least a portion of the first surface and the at least a portion of the second surface.
 19. The mandrel of claim 16, wherein the at least a portion of the first surface or the at least a portion of the second surface is curved.
 20. The mandrel of claim 18, wherein a depth of the slit is radial to the curved portion of the first or second surface. 